This week in Benelux retail: Hema achieves excellent results

As a part of RetailDetail’s continued efforts to offer the world a view into the retail sector in the Benelux, we proudly present an English language summary of this week’s retail news in the Benelux. Where available, the summary links to full English language articles; otherwise there will be (NL) links for Dutch versions and (FR) for French versions.

Major Benelux retail news

* Dutch Hema achieves excellent results: NL/FR (9 Dec)
* Organisations for SMEs demand that law curtailing discounts before sales periods is upheld NL/FR (8 Dec)
* Opposition angry with government’s plans to allow ‘low quality’ jobs in eCommerce NL /FR (8 Dec)
* Two Belgian chains to disappear from the Netherlands NL (9 Dec)
* Ahold Delhaize looks to double online turnover by 2020 NL/FR (7 Dec)
* Government measures causes consumer spending to drop in Belgium NL/FR (6 Dec)
* Italian Ferrero buys cookie producer Delacre NL/FR (6 Dec)
* Number of toy stores plummets in the Netherlands NL (5 Dec)

New concepts

* Asics‘ Brussels concept store is world’s first NL/FR (7 Dec)
* Dutch pancake producer Koopmans starts shop-in-shop concept NL (8 Dec)
* Dunkin’ Donuts restarts in the Netherlands NL (8 Dec)
* Nespresso launches travel concept for its Boutiques in the Netherlands NL (6 Dec)
* AB InBev starts concept of pub/restaurants based on its craft beer Goose Island NL/FR (6 Dec)
* BIC opens pop-up store in Antwerp to commemorate 60 years of its famous type M10 NL/FR (6 Dec)
* Belgian National Lottery opens festive pop-up store in Antwerp NL/FR (5 Dec)

Changes at the top

* R&S Retail appoint Dieter Penninckx as its new CEO NL/FR (5 Dec)
* Palm Breweries appoint Sven Stuer as its new CEO NL/FR (6 Dec)
* Redevco Belgium appoint Kristof Restiau as its new general manager NL/FR (6 Dec)

And also

* Colruyt, Delhaize and Action receive multiple awards during RetailDetail Night NL/FR (8Dec)
* AB InBev owners invest in Swedish producer of lactose free food NL/FR (6 Dec)
* Papa John’s Pizza starts its conquest of the Netherlands in Amsterdam NL (5 Dec)
* Carrefour launches ‘snake’ in all its Belgian stores NL/FR (9 Dec)
* Strike delays arrival of Santa’s presents in the Netherlands NL (5 Dec)
* Belgian retail real estate sector achieves status quo in a difficult year NL/FR (6 Dec)
* First thorough renewal at Antwerp’s Criée gallery NL/FR (5 Dec)
* Carrefour to open eight Express stores in December NL/FR (8 Dec)
* IKEA is “Belgium’s most attractive employer” NL (8 Dec)
* Björn Borg acquires its distributor in the Benelux NL/FR (8 Dec)
* Belgian government does not expand sugar tax to fruit juices NL (9 Dec)
* City councils support local shops with a special pop-up shop in Sint-Truiden NL (9 Dec), several measures to make the city centre more attractive in Mechelen NL (9 Dec) and in Antwerp’s suburb Mortsel NL (8 Dec)
* Disappointing results at new shopping centre Docks Bruxsel NL/FR (5 Dec)